Christmas is such a joy filled season I don't care when you put your decorations up. Or even if you leave them up all year. As for me, I like the fall colors better so my Thanksgiving stuff will be up through the end of the month.

A young couple bought the house on the corner. It is a big square 2 story with an attic dormer. They have every single window rimmed in Christmas lights. It may be overkill, but their joy in their first home is contagious.

It snowed while we were gone last week so today's snow is my first Illinois snow of the year. Misha and I will bundle up and go play in it after I finish this delicious coffee. One of the guys that works for Lee has a brand new baby girl. I bought her first snow suit (in a size big enough for next year) and we will drop it off this weekend and do some baby-snuggling.

Wishing you all a great weekend and continued safe travels for Tom making his way home today.

I am on my way to Dublin CA, for a 3ish 15min/mile Jog with friends and then Jack-in the-Box for coffee.

Dawn, the massive fire in Butte County, and specifically the town of "Paradise" where it all began, it is sadly no-longer "Paradise". About 70+ folks dead and burned to death during fire and sadly still many residents not accounted for? There are Forensic scientist there to using DNA when the find bones and other body parts to identify who/ what the find.

I went to the park this morning and walked 3.11 miles. After 20 minutes of walking, I started randomly mixing in about 10 strides of jogging. I am hoping this works to help strengthen my calf. But who knows, it could be causing more harm than good.

We don't do much decorating. There is a tree in the garage, under plastic, already decorated that I will bring into the house sometime in early December.

Waiting on the roofers to come fix my leak. Said they be here at noon. Still not here, so I put a pizza in the oven. I assume they will be here in 9 minutes and 52 seconds when the timer goes off.

Dave, I do wear a mask when outdoors. The climatology experts say that come Tuesday 11/20 - we are safe from the smoke, and hopefully they say rain is coming in 11/21 and with that ALL IS WELL.

It is very sad about the massive fire and oh so many residents are DEAD, and many still unaccounted for. The TV pics show forensic experts searching through the burned down facilities and they are looking for body parts, bones, etc. Oh so sad!!

Today was the youth nationals cc meet in Louisville. Kids were there from everywhere east of the Mississippi River it seems. I had 20 kids running. Started out cold at 29* but warmed up to low 40s and some sun. Really a great day for cc racing.

Melissa and I stopped by Makayla's college and took her and us out to Five Guys.

Our Labrador, Jake, died yesterday. The past few months he had been getting weaker. He was still eating good, but seemed like an old man. Thursday night he would not eat. I petted and loved on him. Saw him Friday morning then came home yesterday around 5:00 and found him in his doghouse. He was a real friendly dog and so strong in his prime. Ryan and Makayla named him Jake when he was a pup and Makayla was 8.